Ingrown nails & greenies: how to manage them as a nail tech
Have clients presented you with conditions like ingrown nails or greenies, but you’ve felt unsure about whether you should continue their appointments? Read on to freshen up your initial training and note the natural nail conditions that require medical intervention. While nail professionals should refrain from making medical diagnoses, it’s…
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Buying an E-file & bits? Nail techs: here’s what to consider
Nail experts share what to know before buying an E-file and bits… Choose the company carefully “Purchase from a reputable professional brand that also provides high-quality training for its E-file range, as undertaking this training is the best way to ensure the tools are being used correctly,” says Giorgia Cappella,…
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No-shows & cancellations: how to prevent & handle them in your beauty business
Session nail stylist, salon owner & educator, Marie-Louise Coster, shares advice for client no-shows and cancellations… Every beauty business, at some point, has a client that doesn’t turn up for their appointment. You will have blocked out time and potentially turned other clients away, but are left with an empty appointment…
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How to stop nail biting & picking: experts share treatment plans to break the habit
Finalists in the Scratch Stars Natural Nail Specialist of the Year category 2024 share tips for nail biting and picking clients… Why do people bite and pick at their nails and skin? “Nail biting, also known as onychophagia, and skin picking and biting, named perionychophagia, are habits associated with stress,…
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Nail & beauty apprenticeships: salons share benefits, their experiences & advice
In a recent poll on Scratch’s Instagram, almost 80% of respondents shared that they’re considering taking on apprentices. Here, two UK salons share how they’ve reaped the rewards of the apprenticeship process… Nailspa, West Yorkshire “As a business owner, I believe that when it comes to employees, you cannot beat…
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Nail techs: This is why thorough client consultations are so important
Scratch Stars Natural Nail Specialist of the Year finalist 2024, Tanya Jeskins, shares why thorough client consultations are the key to effective and safe nail services that keep clients returning. So, what exactly is a client consultation? Tanya explains: “It’s a professional conversation that takes place before every appointment, to…
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3 must-have digital tools for beauty pros, according to a business & marketing expert
Beauty business and marketing mentor, Stephanie Barnard, aka Beauty Business Bestie, shares her digital tool recommendations… Whether you’re a solo worker or managing a team, staying organised can feel like a full-time job. Running a beauty business can get messy, and without systems in place, you might find yourself forgetting…
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Shifting your mindset for success: 4 tips from a beauty business coach
Scratch columnist & beauty business and mindset coach, Zaara King, shares advice for transforming your mental outlook… When I ask beauty business owners what changed for them when they found new levels of success, they say their mindset – and the same is true for me. You may be working…
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What is a nail habit-tic & can it be treated?
When a client sits at your nail desk and presents you with a nail like the below, you may wonder whether it is a contraindication that you should not treat. This is habit-tic deformity. Most commonly seen on the thumbnails, this nail condition is usually a result of onychotillomania: a…
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Self-employment help for nail techs: legal, financial & operational considerations
All the legal, financial and operational factors to consider before making those all-important choices… Deciding to become a self-employed nail tech is just the beginning, and we’re here to help you navigate it all. From choosing whether to work from home or as a mobile tech, to deciding which insurance…
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Top reasons to enter nail competitions & expert tips for success
Esteemed beauty business expert & CEO of PHAB Service Stars, Nergish Wadia-Austin, shares advice for budding nail competitors… The nail industry is vibrant, with competitions like the Scratch Stars Awards and Nailympia showcasing the best in creativity and artistry. Prestigious events like these are essential for any nail technician wishing…
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How to capitalise on Valentine’s & Galentine’s Day in the nail salon
Experts shares tips for effectively promoting your nail business this Valentine’s and Galentine’s Day… Sara Pinto, Andreia Professional product director, says… “The lead-up to 14 February presents an opportunity for nail techs to boost business, by encouraging clients to treat themselves or loved ones to pampering experiences and retail items.…
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Energy Savers Week: How to make your beauty business more energy-efficient
Stephanie Hodgson, head of research & development at Green Salon Collective (GSC), details how beauty businesses of all sizes can minimise their energy usage and emissions… GSC was founded in 2020 by environmental experts, campaigners and beauty professionals, with an aim to help member salons in the UK and Ireland…
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Colour psychology: Discover the mood-boosting meanings behind your nail colour choices
Save time and add an element of fun at the nail desk by advising clients on mood-based hues using colour psychology, advised by experts… ‘Have you decided on a nail shade?’ is a question you may ask daily, as you patiently watch clients rifle through colour pops and swatches. But…
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Home gel kit dangers & 6 ways to prevent allergies at the nail desk
Many people turned to DIY nail kits during the coronavirus lockdown. They may have been visiting a nail pro for months, years or even decades – before suddenly, the luxury of a nail appointment was gone, and some saw a solution in home application of gel polish. DIY home kits…
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